Articles tagged with Earth Systems Science
The study found that climate change impacts are apparent in nearly all aspects of climate variability, including temperature extremes, precipitation patterns, and ecosystem changes. These changes have important implications for sustainable resource management and future adaptation strategies.
Research reveals Arctic rivers are discharging much more water than previously thought, with acceleration up to three times higher than estimated. The RADR project assimilates satellite information into hydrologic models for the entire pan-Arctic region.
A new dataset from Canterbury earthquakes provides over 15,000 case histories for liquefaction, significantly augmenting model training and testing. The dataset enhances hazard assessments and improves engineering solutions in earthquake recovery, benefiting society as a whole.
A recent study found that earthquakes and extreme rainfall lead to a significant increase in landslide rates in Nepal during the monsoon season. The research, published in Nature Communications, reveals that landscape damage caused by the April 2015 Gorkha earthquake increased landslide risk by six times.
Researchers found that warmer soil releases less carbon, but coarse-textured soils are more vulnerable to climate change. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding soil types and their impact on carbon storage.
A research team analyzed seismic noise recorded over the last decade to better understand volcanic processes at Campi Flegrei. They found that directionality loss in noise data indicates the migration of deep fluids towards the eastern caldera, which triggers earthquakes.
Researchers developed an automated method to detect and date abrupt climate events in paleoclimatic data, facilitating the study of climate tipping points in the past. The new tool can help establish chronology of close events and eliminate uncertainties during comparisons of different paleo records.
MARUM researchers simulate alternative hydrocarbon formation through reduction of acetic acid, proposing a new explanation for unusual isotope patterns. The findings provide insight into the rapid thermal alteration of sedimentary organic matter and its role in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers identified 'hotspots' for flash droughts globally, including regions with high agricultural production, and found that half of the contributing factor is a lack of rainfall and hot weather conditions. This study provides a foundation to build off and explore key questions regarding future trends of flash drought occurrence.
The CriticalEarth project is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network preparing 15 PhD students for studying critical transitions and tipping points in the Earth system. The network aims to investigate how complex mathematics can be used to predict and avoid irreversible climate change.
A new MIT study provides detailed information on the wave-damping benefits of marsh plants, enabling coastal restoration planners to determine the area needed for mitigation. The analysis incorporates plant morphology and interactions with currents and waves, providing a more quantitative way to estimate the value provided by marshes.
Researchers at UCI and NASA JPL found that a thinning of the ice melange, a slushy concoction of windblown snow, iceberg debris, and frozen seawater, is a major driver of ice shelf collapse. The study revealed that melange thinning can lead to rapid retreat of Antarctica's ice shelves.
Researchers at Aalto University created intricate shapes like letters by manipulating tiny metal balls with vibrating plates and energy fields. The smart algorithm efficiently guided the particles to achieve desired shapes, inspired by natural phenomena like wind and water.
The NYU-led Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP) center will combine artificial intelligence and climate modeling to better predict climate change impacts. The center aims to provide more accurate climate predictions by analyzing satellite images, large-scale observational data, and developing new algorithms.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered the physical mechanism behind icy plumes that precede severe thunderstorms and potentially deadly tornadoes. The study reveals a hydraulic jump phenomenon triggered by fluid obstacles in the atmosphere, leading to rapid water vapor injection into the stratosphere.
A new study published in Climate Dynamics analysis observational data and a large climate model found that the Earth's 11-year cycle is out of sync with solar fluctuations. The findings refute climate skeptics' claims that the sun plays a major role in global warming.
Researchers have created a global database of 63 tailings flows since 1928, revealing catastrophic events occur every two to three years on average. The study highlights the importance of understanding water-to-solids ratios and downstream terrain in preventing mass casualties and environmental damage.
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
A new assessment indicates that higher emissions will significantly impact Venice's flood risk, emphasizing the need for improved projections and protection infrastructure. The study highlights the importance of accurate sea level projections and the potential for extreme events like meteotsunamis to exacerbate flooding.
Scientists discovered that volcanic arcs, including chains like the Andes and Cascades, played a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels over the past 400 million years. This natural feedback mechanism helped maintain a stable climate, but recent human-driven emissions have disrupted this balance.
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences analyzed tree rings from old-growth Douglas-firs on the Oregon Coast, revealing reduced growth following the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 1700. The findings confirm modeling of the quake's reach and provide insight into the impact of tsunamis on trees.
Researchers analyzed rock samples from Eastern Scotland to measure the strength of the geomagnetic field during key time periods. They found that between 332 and 416 million years ago, the field was less than a quarter of its current strength.
The Stoffenmanager and Advanced REACH Tool models have significant deficiencies in their use, affecting chemical safety assessments. The models are based on subjective parameter values and lack physical principles, leading to uncertainty in exposure values.
A recent study found that greenhouse gases from human activity and warmer North Atlantic Ocean temperatures contributed to the Northeast's increased extreme precipitation since 1996. The research used global climate model simulations and statistical methods to isolate the causes of the increase.
Scientists warn of unprecedented climate-related disasters and environmental degradation, highlighting the need for drastic reductions in greenhouse gases and transformational system changes. They advocate for a globally implemented carbon price, phase-out of fossil fuels, and strategic climate reserves to safeguard biodiversity.
EarthLab aims to simulate physical climate, environmental, and ecological systems for better predicting natural disasters and understanding Earth's spheres. The facility will enable researchers to predict Earth systems on a vast time and spatial scale.
Mineral nanoparticles exhibit enzyme-like properties, catalyzing superoxide and H2O2 production, influencing microbial-mineral coevolution and nutrient cycling. Their discovery challenges traditional views on nanomaterials' inertness in Earth systems.
Simulations show domino effects at up to 2°C global warming, increasing risk of irreversible climate change. Rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is indispensable to limit risks of crossing tipping points.
The study proposes a coupling model of the five spheres of the earth system with the oxygen cycle as the core. Key findings include the link role of the oxygen cycle in shaping our current habitable Earth and its effects on modern and geological time scales.
The study revealed that ultrafine particles smaller than 100 nm in diameter play a significant role in haze formation, visibility, and air pollution. The researchers suggest controlling precursor vapors to alleviate the problem.
A model study suggests that abrupt shifts in ocean currents could occur decades before anticipated due to rate-induced tipping. This could lead to drastic changes in agriculture, biodiversity, and the economy. The findings highlight fundamental limitations in climate predictability and emphasize the need to limit CO2 emissions.
Sun and Tong's project aims to make AI workflows more shareable and replicable. The researchers will further develop the open-source GeoWeaver system into a stable operational platform for NASA's EOSDIS archive.
Scientists from the University of Helsinki investigated atmospheric particle formation in the Arctic, discovering how Arctic warming and sea ice loss strengthen processes that emit different vapors to the atmosphere. This study provides crucial insights into the consequences of global warming.
The new HPE-Cray EX supercomputer will be a 19.87-petaflops system, 3.5 times faster than the existing Cheyenne supercomputer, and will enable researchers to conduct advanced studies on climate change, severe weather, and other Earth system processes.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change will alter the position of the Earth's tropical rain belt, with a northward shift expected in the Eastern Hemisphere and a southward shift in the Western Hemisphere. This shift may lead to increased drought stress in some regions and intensified flooding in others.
A recent study found that Asian water towers will struggle to quench the thirst of downstream communities despite more river runoff brought on by a warmer climate. Rising water demands from the growing population will outweigh warming in determining water scarcity in the Indus and Brahmaputra basins.
A new study explores long-term if-then-scenarios to quantify the effects of Arctic summer sea-ice melting on global warming. The research reveals that complete Arctic sea-ice melt could lead to an additional 0.2°C of warming, threatening climate goals.
The August Complex of fires has grown to over 1,000,000 acres burned, making it the largest fire in California's history. The complex is 58% contained and poses a significant threat to structures in several areas, including Hidden Valley and Wildwood.
A team of Penn State researchers suggests that simpler models may be a better choice for determining some climate risk due to their ability to better sample uncertainties. This approach can help decision-makers quantify risks more effectively, even if it means sacrificing some detail in the model.
A new paleoclimate record covering the last 66 million years has significantly improved our understanding of climate variability and predictability. The study confirms four distinct climate modes: hothouse, warmhouse, coolhouse, and icehouse.
A new method combines Deep-Learning, hydrological models and Earth observations to quantify small as well as large-scale changes to the water storage on the South American continent. The study shows that the method is particularly reliable for tropical regions, where rain forests and vast surface waters are located.
The application of data assimilation in Earth system science has improved observability and predictability of the Earth system. The methodology of data assimilation reflects the harmony between reason and experience.
The Apple Fire in Banning Canyon, California, has consumed 20,516 acres and is burning in an area with not had fire activity in recent years. NASA satellites provide critical information on the fire's spread, detecting actively burning fires and tracking smoke transport.
Climate models struggle with reducing uncertainty in global temperature predictions and predicting tipping points, which pose a major threat to modern societies. A new review outlines a more effective approach to perform better climate simulations and extract more information from models.
George Mason University Associate Professor Cristiana Stan will collaborate with the US Department of Energy on a climate modeling project. She will provide program expertise in E3SM, a state-of-the-science Earth system model addressing energy sector challenges.
Researchers develop a deep-learning model to estimate fine detail of fuel moisture levels across 12 western states, improving fire studies. The new dataset could help reveal areas at greatest risk and chart candidate locations for prescribed burns.
New technologies, such as artificial meats, 3D printing, and vertical agriculture, hold promise for transforming the global food system. The study identifies an arsenal of highly promising options that can be tailored to different institutional and political contexts.
Plant breathing reduces Arctic land surface temperature, but rising CO2 accelerates warming by closing stomata and reducing transpiration. This study confirms the physiological forcing effect on Arctic climate system, estimating that 10% of greenhouse effect is caused by plant stomatal closure.
The new E3SM model can capture complex climate-generating behavior with high resolution, simulating regional climate and built infrastructure. It will help predict how changes in climate and water cycling respond to increasing CO2.
A recent study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that tree budburst, or the timing of leaf emergence, is becoming more variable in hotter regions due to rising temperatures. In contrast, cold climates show a more stable pattern of budburst year-over-year.
The Orroral Valley Fire has burned 62,988 hectares of land in just one week, with the Australian Capital Territory under a State of Emergency. NASA satellites detected the fire and provided critical information to aid in firefighting efforts, saving all structures in the region.
A new study using a neural network-driven Earth system model predicts an increase in phytoplankton biomass in low-latitude regions by 2100. The team found that the traditional assumption of declining biomass due to climate change is not supported, and instead, phytoplankton may actually thrive in warmer waters.
The study reveals that interactions between planetary boundaries amplify human impacts, particularly in climate change and biosphere integrity. Reducing pressure on one boundary can lessen pressure on others, offering a win-win solution for sustainable development.
A new modelling strategy is required to address challenges in understanding global warming, with a focus on reducing biases through physically based models. International initiatives are needed to co-develop modelling systems that exploit emerging technologies and exascale computing.
An international team of researchers has been awarded a $10 million European Research Council Synergy Grant to develop machine learning algorithms for enhancing Earth observation datasets. They will also develop machine-learning-based parametrizations for clouds and land-surface processes to improve climate modeling.
Scientists at University of California, Irvine predict that Valley fever will double in size this century due to climate change. The fungal infection is expected to become widespread in previously unaffected areas across the western U.S., including Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
Researchers aim to understand how microorganisms respond to drought, potentially shedding light on adapting to climate change. Studying the microbiome of dead plant matter in Southern California fields, they found that certain bacteria and fungi shift composition in response to moisture deprivation.
A new study reveals that hunter-gatherers, farmers, and pastoralists made significant changes to the planet by 4,000 years ago. This finding suggests a longer history of human impact on the environment than previously thought.
The Stanford Woods Institute has awarded grants totaling $16 million to support research projects addressing major environmental challenges. These interdisciplinary initiatives aim to combat air pollution, mine wastewater for valuable resources, reduce food waste, and investigate the causes of chronic kidney disease.
The University of Texas at San Antonio will develop a new interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE) with a $3 million NASA grant. CAMEE will investigate extreme conditions such as ocean and polar warming, and study hypersonic speeds.